US Palermo vs Inter Milan - Review and Highlights

PALERMO, November 15 ( Serie A )

Inter Milan opened up a gap at the top of Serie A tonight thanks to two goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the win over US Palermo.

The Sweden striker found the key to unlock a cagey game just 23 seconds into the second half with a fine strike from distance.

And he struck the ball even better in the 62nd minute to earn all three points with a powerful free-kick.

Palermo had held their own for 45 minutes, but had no response to Ibrahimovic's goals as they fell to their fourth defeat in the last seven games.

Inter's seventh game unbeaten means they will remain at the top of the table for another week, taking them into next Saturday's clash with Juventus holding a three-point advantage over their rivals from Turin.

It was a very tight and even first 45 minutes with no really dangerous moments at either end.

There was so little happening on the field that Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini decided to take a walk outside the Stadio Renzo Barbera after around 20 minutes.

And he did not miss much. The closest either side came was in the 28th minute when Ibrahimovic cut inside from the left and tested Alberto Fontana with a low shot which the Palermo goalkeeper deflected behind for a corner.

The home side's best chances fell to the lively Fabrizio Miccoli, who had two shots from just outside the penalty area which missed the target.

Giulio Migliaccio also tested Julio Cesar with a header which was saved well while at the other end Maicon struck a speculative shot over the crossbar.

It took just 23 seconds of the second half for the complexion of the game to change.

That is how long Ibrahimovic needed to open the scoring. There did not seem to be much on when he received the ball and Federico Balzaretti did not sense any danger either as he let the Sweden international approach the penalty area.

When he was around 25 yards away from goal, Ibrahimovic took aim and fired a powerful, curling shot into the far corner beyond the reach of Fontana and in off the inside of the post.

The Swede almost scored again 10 minutes later when he was again allowed to dance his way into the penalty area before testing Fontana with another low shot.

But he added his second of the night and seventh of the season in the 62nd minute after Julio Cruz and Sulley Muntari had both missed chances.

There was no stopping Ibrahimovic`s 20-yard free-kick as it found a hole in the wall and flashed past Fontana on its way into the roof of his goal

Ibrahimovic almost completed his hat-trick from the same position he had scored his first in stoppage time, but Fontana made an excellent diving save to deny him.

There was no denying him the man-of-the-match award, though, and Inter another three points to give them a three-point cushion over their next opponents Juventus FC at the top of the table.

US Palermo vs FC Inter Milan - 0 : 2

0:1 - 46' Zlatan Ibrahimovic
0:2 - 46' Zlatan Ibrahimovic